How to Grow Carrot
Get Your Exact Carrot Planting Dates
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Your Carrot dates ·
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Supplies You'll Need
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Plant Overview
Growing Requirements
Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water
Regular (1 inch/week)
Spacing
3" apart
Depth
0.25" deep
Height
8-12"
Germination
14-21 days
Ready to Grow Carrot?
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Common Carrot Varieties
Popular cultivars to look for at your local nursery or seed supplier.
Nantes
Cylindrical, blunt-tipped carrot with sweet, mild flavor; excellent for home gardens.
Danvers 126
Sturdy, broad-shouldered carrot that grows well in heavy clay soil; long keeper.
Chantenay Red Core
Short, broad carrot with red-orange core; ideal for heavy or shallow soils.
Imperator 58
Long, tapered carrot of the type sold in grocery stores; needs deep, loose soil.
Purple Dragon
Deep purple skin with orange core; contains anthocyanins and has a spicy, earthy flavor.
Cosmic Purple
Purple-skinned with an orange-yellow interior; beautiful in salads and surprisingly sweet.
Days-to-maturity figures are approximate and vary by climate and growing conditions.
Common Carrot Problems
What to watch for — and how to fix it before it spreads.
Pests
Larvae tunnel through roots leaving rust-colored trails; worst in coastal and northern areas.
Cover with row covers from planting to harvest; delay sowing until after peak fly emergence in late spring.
Soil-dwelling larvae bore through roots, leaving small, round entry holes.
Practice crop rotation; till soil before planting to expose larvae to birds; use beneficial nematodes.
Cluster on foliage and flower umbels; can transmit carrot motley dwarf virus.
Spray with insecticidal soap; encourage parasitic wasps by planting dill and fennel nearby.
Diseases
Dark brown spots with yellow halos on foliage; spreads in humid conditions.
Use certified disease-free seed; rotate crops; apply copper fungicide in wet seasons.
Elliptical pits on carrot roots caused by Pythium; more of a cosmetic issue than a health concern.
Improve drainage; maintain even soil moisture; avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.
Common Mistakes
Carrots fork, stunt, and deform in compacted or stony ground.
Loosen soil to 12 inches deep; mix in sand and compost; grow shorter Chantenay or round varieties in heavy soils.
Crowded seedlings produce forked, stunted roots that compete and all lose.
Thin to 2–3 inches apart when seedlings are 2 inches tall; use scissors to avoid disturbing neighbors.
Drought followed by heavy watering causes splitting and rough, hairy roots.
Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the season; mulch to retain moisture.
Seed Saving Guide
DifficultWhen to Harvest Seed
Carrots are biennial — leave roots in ground over winter and harvest umbels in year 2 when seeds turn brown.
Processing
Cut dried seed umbels into bags, thresh to separate seeds, winnow to remove chaff.
Seed Viability
Up to 3 years when stored cool, dark, and dry.
Pro Tip
Carrots cross with wild Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota). Isolate by 1000 feet or hand-pollinate in cages.
Seed Storage Supplies
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Raised Bed Planting Guides
A 4×8 bed fits 16 per sq ft of Carrot. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →
Carrot Planting Calendar by Zone
Carrot Planting Calendar by State
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Carrot? +
Sow Carrot seeds directly in the garden 6 weeks before your last frost date. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your location.
How long does Carrot take to grow? +
Carrot typically matures in about 70 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.
Should I start Carrot indoors or direct sow? +
Carrot does best when direct sown outdoors. Plant seeds directly in the garden at the appropriate time based on your local frost dates.
How much sun does Carrot need? +
Carrot requires full sun to partial shade to thrive.
How far apart should I plant Carrot? +
Space Carrot plants 3 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.
How much water does Carrot need? +
Carrot has regular (1 inch/week) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.
Can you save seeds from Carrot? +
Yes — seed saving difficulty for Carrot is rated difficult. Carrots are biennial — leave roots in ground over winter and harvest umbels in year 2 when seeds turn brown. Cut dried seed umbels into bags, thresh to separate seeds, winnow to remove chaff.
How long do Carrot seeds last in storage? +
Properly dried and stored Carrot seeds remain viable for up to 3 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.
Are Carrot seeds open-pollinated? +
Yes — Carrot is open-pollinated, meaning seeds saved from your harvest will grow plants true to the parent variety. This makes it an excellent candidate for building a self-sustaining garden.
About Carrot
Sweet, crunchy root vegetable. Prefers loose, sandy soil free of rocks for straight roots.
Expect your Carrot to be ready for harvest in approximately 70 days from planting.
Use the search above or browse by zone or state to find the perfect planting dates for your location.